Rumors “greatly exaggerated”: ByteDance admits resignation after AI sabotage

Chinese company ByteDance has confirmed the dismissal of an intern following rumors on social media. The person involved had manipulated the AI ​​training for a research project with malicious intent, the company announced. TikTok Group’s central AI models were not affected. However, claims circulating on Chinese social networks that more than 8,000 graphics cards were affected and that the damage amounted to several million dollars were “greatly exaggerated.” The dismissal took place in August and the relevant trade association, school board and intern’s university were informed.

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Another team sabotaged

According to the South China Morning Post, the statement was preceded by rumors that the unnamed individual had deliberately sabotaged the AI ​​training out of dissatisfaction with working conditions. The intern was part of a team responsible for developing advertising technology. The interference took place in the AI ​​technology of another team in the same department. According to ByteDance, the false information about the damage was probably also due to the trainee’s profiles on social networks, which contained false information. ByteDance published the statement on its own news app Toutiao. The exact extent of the damage remains unclear.

ByteDance is best known in this country for TikTok, but operates a wide range of internet services. Just a few days ago, the company announced its intention to increasingly rely on AI technology for content moderation in the future. Several hundred employees have lost their jobs as a result. While TikTok now plans to rely more heavily on AI technology, it wouldn’t do away with human moderation completely.

(mho)